At 14,648 feet, Mont Maudit offers routes that are among the most challenging and treacherous in the world. About 30 people a year die in the Swiss Alps, while Mont Maudit alone claims dozens a year, though not usually in such large groups.

At 14,648 feet, Mont Maudit offers routes that are among the most challenging and treacherous in the world. About 30 people a year die in the Swiss Alps, while Mont Maudit alone claims dozens a year, though not usually in such large groups.

Really???? Dozens of people die on Mount Maudit each year? I would be surprised if that were true.

Well, the media has been getting the terminology screwed up (calling the victims "hikers"), so is it any wonder that they've also gotten the facts screwed up. Probably dozens of deaths each year on the Mont Blanc massif.

Buz Groshong wrote:Actually that was a misquote (unless the Times revised their article without noting it). Here's what the Times article says:

"About 30 people a year die in the Swiss Alps, while Mont Blanc has in the past claimed dozens of deaths, though not usually in such large groups."

A strange comparison that the Times is making here, implying that Mont Blanc is in Switzerland. I mean, it would make sense if the article stated how many people die in the French Alps ...

That said, my condoleances go out to the families of those involved.

Rob

You just don't understand americans, do you? Here in the US many people say the "Swiss Alps," meaning the Alps. Still, you would expect better of the Times - but then they don't know the difference between hiking and climbing! Wait a minute - neither do some members of summitpost; they keep posting about "state highpoint climbers."